Swedish??

[Stefan Diös]

>According to the official Swedish Dictionary,
><URL:http://g3.spraakdata.gu.se/>, the word "spöa" has been used in
>the context "to beat someone" (or "lash, scourge") since the early
>19th century.
>
>quack,
>
>Magnus Bark,
>Swedish Donaldist


Quite so, and since 1935 figuratively as "conquer, defeat", which no doubt 
is the meaning in this case. This date is given in Nationalencyklopediens 
Ordbok. It is not marked as a dialect word, although Svenska Akademiens 
Ordlista labels it "colloquial". All in all, I think it fits much better in 
this headline than any of the words Sigvald suggested, even though I should 
have preferred the article to explain why the connection with the Duck was 
indicated.

Thank you for your profound interest in our language.



Stefan Dios
Malmo, Sweden